BARNABAS VARGA has issued his first update on his condition in hospital after a sickening collision that overshadowed Hungary’s Euro 2024 game with Scotland.
The striker was carried off on a stretcher following an aerial challenge with Scottish keeper Angus Gunn in the second half of the Group A finale.
Team-mates have waited anxiously for more news on Barnabas VargaGetty
PAThe Hungary striker was carried off, with players from both sides shocked[/caption]
Instagram varga.barnabas_Barnabas Varga shared a touching message from his wife[/caption]
Instagram: varga.barnabas_Varga and wife Laura Skrapits celebrate after he won the Hungarian top flight this year[/caption]
And today he shared an Instagram post from his wife Laura Skrapits.
She shared a picture of her holding Varga’s hand at his bedside.
Her post was captioned: “Thank you for your kind, supportive messages. Barni is over the surgery.
“A little rest is waiting for him but he’ll be fine!”
Hungary team-mates huddled around to protect the Ferencvaros star from view as he was treated on the pitch for several minutes.
Players from both sides were clearly anxious over his condition.
It was later revealed the 29-year-old had fractured a cheekbone, which rules him out of the rest of the tournament and his dad Andras revealed he underwent surgery.
After Kevin Csoboth had hit the only goal in the 10th minute of stoppage time it was immediately obvious where the thoughts of the Hungarian players were focused.
They wore shirts with Varga’s name on it as they walked around in muted mood despite winning.
Skipper Dominik Szoboszlai – the Liverpool midfielder – led the way.
And even as he raised his arms to acknowledge fans, the expression of the 23-year-old showed he was mirroring their concern over Varga.
The 13-cap frontman was reportedly conscious and able to communicate with medics taking him to hospital.
Varga was carried off on a stretcher and able to communicate with medical staff on his way to a hospital in Stuttgart
The Hungarian camp and Ferencvaros both then issued statements to say he was conscious and in a “stable” condition.
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GettyLiverpool midfielder Szoboszlai highlighted the concern for Varga[/caption]
GettyHungary boss Marco Rossi said his players had been ‘really worried’[/caption]
GettyDominik Szoboszlai showed his team’s priority was Varga’s condition as he wore the frontman’s top after the 1-0 win over Scotland[/caption]
His club also promised to update concerned supporters “immediately” when they receive more news.
Hungary manager Marco Rossi told BBC Sport on Sunday night: “Varga is okay.
“Unfortunately he will be operated on because he suffered a fracture.
“We will see, if we progress in the tournament for sure he will not be with us.”
Rossi also revealed the fears of his players at the time of the incident.
He said: “What I heard from the players is that Barney looked unconscious.
“Everybody was really worried about his condition, and worried that the doctors arrived a bit late. Probably they didn’t realise it was a dangerous situation.
“We can say now that Barney is not under any kind of risks.
“Probably he will be operated on in the coming hours because he suffered a fracture here (cheek), but he’s healthy.”
GettyMan of the match Roland Sallai spoke of the ‘terrible incident’[/caption]
Man of the match Roland Sallai also spoke of the “terrible moment”.
He said: “He’ll have to go tough, a minor operation, but we cross our fingers for him that he can return.
“Naturally it was a terrible incident. Of course we were fighting for him in the remaining minutes and this win is dedicated to him.”
Varga, who has played all his club football in his home country and Austria, was Hungary’s four-goal top scorer in qualifying for the Euros.
He started all three of their group matches in Germany this month.
And he netted the first of their only two goals so far.
Varga gave the Hungarians’ brief hope in their opening match, a 3-1 loss to Switzerland.
He neatly finished off a sublime pass from Szoboszlai when they trailed 2-0.
Then came a 2-0 loss to Germany and the 1-0 defeat of Scotland that saw his horrific accident.
Hungary Euro 2024 guide
A DECADE ago Hungary’s glory days seemed gone forever, but they’ve now qualified for three European Championships in a row.
A 4-0 win away to England and an unbeaten qualifying campaign shows how dangerous the Hungarians can be on their day.
MANAGER: Marco Rossi
One of five Italian coaches at Euro 2024, Rossi has been granted Hungarian citizenship after revitalising the national team during his six years in charge.
STAR MAN: Dominik Szoboszlai
Hungary’s captain had a fine start to life at Liverpool before getting injured and losing his form.
How Hungary attack
Hungary will slow things down in possession as they look to draw an opposition press.
From there, they will then tend to his a longer ball over the top of through the opposition defence.
How Hungary defend
Hungary will tend to split their press with three players engaging the opposition defence on the ball and the rest sitting deep.
When this is unsuccessful, it can lead to the opposition finding plenty of space to attack.
Read the full Hungary Euro 2024 guide here, including predicted line-ups, odds and Wags